Issue Archive

Rob Mueller is the Lead Senior Technologist for the RASSOR (Regolith
Advanced Surface Systems Operations Robot) project, as well as all
Kennedy Space Center (KSC) Human Robotics Systems. The RASSOR mining
robot will collect soil (known as regolith) on the moon or Mars so it
can be processed into rocket propellants, breathable air, water, and
other consumable commodities as well as manufacturing and construction
materials feed stocks.

Dr. Andrew Watson works on models of human vision and applies them to
visual technology. The Founder and Editor in Chief of the Journal of
Vision, he is also a Fellow of the Optical Society of America, of the
Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology, and of the Society
for Information Display. Watson received a 2011 Presidential Rank Award
from the President of the United States.

Bob Reisse coordinates the design and testing of ALHAT (Autonomous
Landing Hazard Avoidance Technology) sensors. In December, ALHAT
instruments were melded to HUEY helicopters, which used sensors and an
integrated computer system to provide guidance and assist pilots. The
technology will also enable landing near specific resources and
locations across the solar system, including the moon, Mars, and other
asteroids.

Bob Reisse coordinates the design and testing of ALHAT (Autonomous
Landing Hazard Avoidance Technology) sensors. In December, ALHAT
instruments were melded to HUEY helicopters, which used sensors and an
integrated computer system to provide guidance and assist pilots. The
technology will also enable landing near specific resources and
locations across the solar system, including the moon, Mars, and other
asteroids.

David Mitchell is the project manager of the MAVEN mission, which will examine environmental changes on Mars. MAVEN instruments will look beyond the planet's surface and provide a better understanding of solar interactions, magnetic fields, and the atmosphere in general.

Chuck Jorgensen, Chief Scientist for the Neuro Engineering Lab at NASA Ames Research Center, in Moffett Field, CA, currently studies biolelectrical interfacing and the detection of human emotion and visualization. His research in subvocal speech was a 2006 finalist for the Saatchi & Saatchi international prize for world-changing ideas.

Dr. Carlos Calle, lead scientist in Kennedy Space Center’s Electrostatics and Surface Physics Lab, is developing instrumentation that addresses the problem of electrostatic dust. The technology will be used for future exploration missions on Mars and the Moon.

Question of the Week

This week's Question: A recent study created by the Arizona-based Paragon Space Development Corporation says its life support system could help humans survive on Mars. The proposed Environmental Control and Life Support System, the company says,...